EPF Young Adult Newsletter         
Daring for peace -- a relentless pursuit. 
 
 
Greetings peacemakers!

In our second Young Adult Network Newsletter, we have an amazing array of ways for you to become involved in our growing network.  

First and foremost, be sure to check out an opportunity to be a part of our delegation for General Convention this summer in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Your time at General Convention will change the way you experience the Church and how you see your own ability to impact the future.  Best of all, EPF will cover all costs at General Convention for our Young Adult delegation. If you are interested in finding out more, read on below.   But be swift -- the deadline is March 1! 

Further on down, we make a new commitment to interacting with our network on social media.  We've recently launched a Facebook and Twitter, and we want to hear from you!  Be sure to 'Like' and 'Follow' us, and keep the conversation going online.  All links to our Facebook and Twitter can be found below. 

  

Finally, we had our first event of 2015, our Urban Pilgrimage in Austin, Texas.  Thanks to our trip leaders and a fabulous group of pilgrims from Texas Tech, the week was a resounding success.  A brief recap is found below as well as on our Urban Pilgrimage blog.

With peace,

Michael Kurth
EPF Young Adult Network


EPF Young Adult Network
GeneralConventionAttend General Convention with the
EPF Young Adult Network!
 

General Convention is the official decision making body of the Episcopal Church. When it is in session it is the largest democratically elected governing body in the world. What happens there matters. Most dioceses ensure that they have balanced representation among clergy and lay people. However, less than five percent of elected deputies are under the age of 30.


 

Episcopal Peace Fellowship's Young Adult delegation is about creating a space so that the voice of those under 30 can be heard. It is an intense experience. We will spend the entire 11 days (June 23 - July 3, 2015) of General Convention advocating for the issues we are passionate about.


 

As a member of this delegation you will have many opportunities:
See first hand how the Episcopal Church makes decisions church wide;
Advocate for legislation you want passed by testifying in front of various committees;
Create legislation and then seek out sponsors to make your idea into church policy;
Network with people throughout the Episcopal Church;
Blog daily about your experiences at Convention;


 

If you want to participate as a member of the Young Adult Delegation come prepared to work both at General Convention and in the weeks before it takes place. These 11 days in Salt Lake City will change the way you experience the Church and how you see your own ability to impact the future. We are not coming to Convention for a vacation or to simply be the token young faces. We are coming to advocate for peace and justice issues that affect the entire Church. We are coming to convention to make a difference in the future of The Episcopal Church.


 

All members of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship Young Adult Delegation are responsible for their travel costs to and from General Convention in Salt Lake City as well as participating in fundraising efforts prior to General Convention. EPF will cover all costs at General Convention. 

 
Applications are due March 1, 2015.  CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE APPLICATION!


 


 

The Buzz
What's going on around EPF and the Young Adult Network
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EPF Young Adults on Social Media


In an effort to keep up our communication with our ever growing network, the Young Adult Network is rededicating ourselves to our presence on Social Media.  In particular, we are committing to engaging with everyone where we know we'll find you: Facebook and Twitter.

On Facebook, you'll find our latest pictures, stories of fellow peacemakers, and the latest news on how to get involved with our initiatives.

Twitter will be where we connect individually with our Network, where we can learn from each other as young peacemakers. From Twitter, we will introduce you to the wider network of the Episcopal Church, and will provide up-to-the-minute updates on all things EPF and the Young Adult Network.

We hope that these channels are only the start.  Through Facebook, Twitter, and our newsletter, we hope to keep in close contact with everyone.  Furthermore, we hope to keep providing the unique leadership opportunities that have become the hallmark of EPF's commitment to young adults. But to discover these opportunities, you have to be in touch!

Find us, follow us, and keep the conversation alive. We are excited to keep up with you online!






Austin Urban Pilgrimage Review


Earlier this year, even before the start of second semester, students from Texas Tech were already in learning mode outside of the classroom.   For six days in January, Texas Tech Canterbury students joined EPF Young Adult group leaders for our first Urban Pilgrimage of 2015.

The pilgrimage featured service opportunities, community meals, and worship, all within the incredibly fun city of Austin, TX. 

A major shout out to Canterbury at Texas Tech, their leader Rev. Jennifer Holder, and our pilgrims for their presence and participation in our first Urban Pilgrimage of 2015.  More heartfelt thanks to trip leaders Maryann Philbrook, Sarah Watkins, and Rev. Megan Clapp, whose hours of planning and dedication led to an amazing pilgrimage experience. 

Here's a reflection from trip leader Maryann Philbrook: 

"I was transformed during my service that week.  I was reminded that love is what is ultimately important.  In my work in social justice I had lost sight of that important key - I had begun to focus too much on structural change and political opportunities.  Through this pilgrimage I began to see that the first step, and perhaps the most important, is learning to see all around you with love.  We believe, as Christians, that love conquers hate.  We have hope and faith that God loves all in ways that we do not understand. This pilgrimage helped me to refocus on seeing that love."

Read more from Maryann and our pilgrims on our Urban Pilgrimage blog, found here!

Closing Prayer


O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
guide us to justice, truth, and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May the swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
till by God's grace our warring world
shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.

Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.
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